Legal Library

Real
estate experts across Houston have been inundated with phone calls from clients
asking what to do about flood damage inside their home in the aftermath of
Hurricane Harvey.

An
estimated 30,000 to 40,000 homes were flooded in Houston in the wake of
Hurricane Harvey, according to Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. Only about 17
percent of homeowners in the Houston area have flood insurance, according to a
Washington Post analysis of Federal Emergency Management data.

Amy
Bernstein, a Houston Realtor and founder of Bernstein Realty, was one of the
fortunate ones. Although her Memorial-area home flooded twice before, it did
not flood during Hurricane Harvey.

“I
think I got a pass this time,” Bernstein said.

Bernstein,
like many other real estate professionals, is now advising her clients about
repairing their homes and filing flood claims, if they have insurance. Here’s
what to do if your home floods, according to real estate experts in Houston:

-
Immediately after a flood, take
photos of the water damage and alert your home insurance company right away.
After a major flood event, insurance companies are inundated with claims, so be
sure to get a head start on the process by calling early.

“Document,
document, document,” Bernstein said. “Tape measure where the water line is and
take photos of that so your insurance company can see how high the water came
inside and outside your home.”

-
Rip out and throw out any
water-damaged wood floors, drywall and insulation. Bernstein
recommends that homeowners tear out their homes immediately, without waiting
for a insurance adjuster. Just make sure to take plenty of photos and keep some
physical evidence of the damage.

“The
longer you leave it wet, it’s worse for the house,” Bernstein said. “Take as
many photos and videos if you begin the tearout process now."

-
Get a mold inspection on
any home that was flooded or renovated after a flood. Remediate
any mold found. It’s important to make sure residents are safe from mold, which
can cause health problems.

-
If you’re renovating and remodeling your home after a flood, consider getting wood-like tile floors
instead of wood or carpeted floors that is harder to clean up.
Homeowners recommend buying furniture with metal legs and building shelving
units at least three feet off the ground to minimize damage from future floods.

-
There are several options homeowners can take after a flood. They can renovate
their home; raise their home; tear down and rebuild their home or sell it and
move. Whatever option they take, beware
of shady contractors who might come into the neighborhood looking to scam
homeowners.

“There
will be remediation companies here that chase storms for a living,” Bernstein
said. “Also, check to see if these companies are covered by your insurance
company and read the small print. My first remediation bill was $40,000 and my
insurance only covered $18,000 of it.”

-
If you don’t have flood insurance, get it. Remember to get an
elevation certificate when you purchase a home, because they serve as the basis
for federal flood insurance.

“I tell all my
clients, get flood insurance even if your home has never flooded," said Paul
Silverman, a Realtor with Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty who grew
up in Meyerland. "No if, ands or buts.”

The views expressed in this document are solely the views of the author and not Martindale-Hubbell. This document is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for consultation with a licensed legal professional in a particular case or circumstance.

The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or should be formed by the use of this site. The attorney listings on the site are paid attorney advertisements. Your access of/to and use of this site is subject to additional Supplemental Terms.